Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis and intramedullary spinal cord metastases from lung cancer: detection with FDG positron emission tomography

Clin Nucl Med. 2001 Nov;26(11):905-7. doi: 10.1097/00003072-200111000-00001.

Abstract

A 64-year-old man with a history of large-cell lung carcinoma and recent resection of a brain metastasis was examined because of a general decline in his ability to function. Whole-body positron emission tomography with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG PET) showed metastases along the spinal cord that were confirmed with MRI. Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis occurs rarely, and the prognosis is extremely poor. Whole-body FDG PET allows the entire spinal cord to be examined noninvasively compared with magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and myelography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Large Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Large Cell / pathology*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed
  • Whole-Body Counting

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18